Mark Lee of Third Day Talks About GCU

While receiving an education online might not be for everyone, it can be a great opportunity if you have the life goal of a college degree, but have a hard time fitting it into a busy schedule. Mark Lee, Third Day’s guitarist, shares 5 things he’s learned from going back to school online at Grand Canyon University….

Going back to school has been an amazing experience for me. It has been empowering to use so many gifts that I have let lie dormant for several years. Since I am pursuing a degree in Christian Studies, it has brought my faith to life in so many ways. Meeting the goals imposed by a rigorous academic environment has spilled over into other areas of my life.

I thought it might be an interesting exercise to share with you a few things I’ve learned from my experience.

I love writing – I already kind of suspected this because I’ve been blogging for years. The weekly assignments at GCU are writing intensive, which I have enjoyed immensely. As a result, I have already become a more confident writer, which hopefully makes me a better communicator.

You can accomplish great things if you focus on one of them at a time – When I first started my studies, I was taken back by how they are broken down. Instead of taking 3-4 classes per semester, students take one 7-8 week course at a time. You have one (sometimes two) assignments to complete every week. I’ve learned to keep my head down and focus on one thing at a time.

Deadlines beat procrastination – The assignments at GCU are broken down by week. If you have known me for any time at all, you know that I am a procrastinator. But rather than putting things off for weeks and weeks, I have tiny bouts with procrastination every week. This has made me become a better time manager. I now plan to use weekly deadlines in other areas of my life to stave off procrastination.

The Bible is awesome – I know this kind of goes without saying, but I am taking courses in Christian Studies. The last two classes I’ve taken have covered the Old and New Testaments, respectively. They have helped provide me with a great foundation that will allow me to learn more about the Bible.

You really can have a true college experience online – I am able to sit in my living room in Georgia and interact with a professor in London as well as students from all over the country and even other parts of the world. I am able to do this on my own schedule. My professors have all been great – a couple have been amazing – and all have helped me learn a great deal.

Click image below to go to GCU’s website.